Obama Okays Oil Drilling off U.S. Coasts, to Win GOP Support for Cap and Trade

100402beelertoon_c1New oil drilling, if it happens, is many years away, while cap-and-trade legislation is here and now

By Philip Elliot, AP

Reversing a ban on oil drilling off most U.S. shores, President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced an expansive new policy that could put new oil and natural gas platforms in waters along the southern Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and part of Alaska.

Speaking at Andrews air base outside Washington, Obama said, “This is not a decision that I’ve made lightly.” He addressed the expected outcry from disappointed environmentalists by saying he had studied the issue for more than a year and concluded it was the right call given the nation’s voracious thirst for energy and the need to produce jobs and keep American businesses competitive.

“We’re announcing the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration but in ways that balance the need to harness domestic energy resources and the need to protect America’s natural resources,” Obama said, standing in front of a Navy F-18 fighter scheduled to fly on Earth Day with a half-biomass fuel mix.

The president said his decision is part of a broader strategy that also includes expanding the production of nuclear power and clean energy sources, to “move us from an economy that runs on fossil fuels and foreign oil to one that relies more on homegrown fuels and clean energy.”

Read the rest of this story at CNS News.

24 Responses to Obama Okays Oil Drilling off U.S. Coasts, to Win GOP Support for Cap and Trade

  1. Rob N. Hood April 1, 2010 at 3:52 pm #

    Oh, so no credit to Obama for being disloyal to most Dems on this issue? He’s sooooo LIBERAL……… not!

  2. paul wenum April 1, 2010 at 8:15 pm #

    It’s a ploy period. I’ve never trusted an Alinsky follower. Never will. Their trust is not a bond. Pure rhetorical BS to change the subject and make the public believe that he will drill. If he believes it he should have gone further such as off shore in California, the Gulf, Alaska et al. No way for a liberal to go that far. Must maintain the base! GE, Sierra Club, EPA standards he set, as well as others. Nothing changes with this administration whatsoever. Spoon feed the public what they want to hear like Lindsay Graham for example. What a loser in my opinion. He should be voted out as well. November, “What a beautiful month that is!” Can hardly wait.

  3. Neil F. AGWD/BSD April 1, 2010 at 8:57 pm #

    You know what is fishy about this? The headline says “drilling” but Obama says “exploration”. They are not the same thing. So yeah, oil companies can explore for oil, and they will probably find lots of it. But will they be allowed to drill for it? I seriously doubt it.

  4. Hal Groar April 1, 2010 at 9:07 pm #

    From what I understand it will be years before any one would be allowed to even think about putting a rig out there. Environmental studies, court cases and federal mandates for more studies will slow it down. They can explore for oil and gas, but that will be it. This is a bunch of bull that means about as much as a promise during a moment of passion…(put politely).

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD April 2, 2010 at 5:28 am #

      Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. It is just more words of BS from our dear leader.

  5. paul wenum April 2, 2010 at 12:23 am #

    My case exactly. Enviro’s and the EPA (present administration), will never allow what America needs to fuel our dire economy. Sad, but true.

  6. cubanshamoo April 2, 2010 at 3:46 am #

    The big problems of liberals is that Obama’s extremism haven’t been as extremist as they were wishing. From Capiatlism to Comunism (without passing over socialism) and in the enviromental field they were hoping for a total ban of SUV’s, drilling activities, and the equalization of the fuel cost for europeans. I also agree with Neil: intentions are nothing if remain in its verbal state.

    • Rob N. Hood April 2, 2010 at 6:51 am #

      Oh, I’m getting so tired of your expertise on a country you don’t even live in.

  7. Neil F. AGWD/BSD April 2, 2010 at 5:49 am #

    The Arctic ice is melting at an alarming rate! Polar bears are going to all die! Fresh water will flood the oceans and shutdown thermohalene circulation, causing word climate devastation! The albedo effect is less, and less and the permafrost is melting releasing millions of tons of CO2, and methane thus accellerating global warming!
    Uh, what? Really? Ok, I’ll tell them. Sorry folks that, actually, is what we wanted you to think. But to be honest, Arctic sea ice levels have just returned to NORMAL!!!!!!!
    http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/images/daily_images/N_stddev_timeseries.png

  8. Deborah April 2, 2010 at 8:22 am #

    Obama said nothing about production, he said “exploration”. We know where the oil is, all we need to do is drill for it. He is using this to get his crap and tax through. More smoke and mirrors.
    If the American people fall for this and the RINOs back him, we are doomed. What will be left of American business, at least those that survive obamacare will be wiped out. The average American household will pay approx. $1700 more a year in energy costs. On top of that everything we need like food and other commodities will cost a whole lot more.
    I vaguely remember reading that obama, piglosi, reid, gore and many other Washington elites have invested heavily in carbon trading companies and these criminals stand to make billions off of this.
    Somehow I do not trust the Republicans, if they win a majority in Nov. to protect us. It might be time for a good ole fashioned American Revolution.

    • Rob N. Hood April 3, 2010 at 2:36 pm #

      Deborah, you really shouldn’t worry so much. Oil is BIG business and absolutely essential for the huge appetitie of the military industrial complex. EVERY
      THING is subservient to that, even that commie Obama. Now as far as Cap and Trade, well, I don’t believe in that either, but that too is good ole fashioned business, American style. But I agree we need to fight it (Cap and Trade).

  9. paul wenum April 2, 2010 at 9:09 pm #

    Deborah, do not associate true republicans with RINO’s. (Republicans in name only) There is a definite difference. Graham is a RINO. Years ago I respected his judgment, today I don’t.

  10. Hal Groar April 2, 2010 at 9:39 pm #

    There are so many rino’s it would take up too much space to list them. I used to like McCain. That was before McCain/Feingold. I thought the former democrat turned republican Norm Coleman might be ok until I read his stand on cap’n’trade. I was really burned about that so I wrote him a letter. I got a standard form letter back touting the environment etc… I swear there are hardly any true conservatives out there.

  11. paul wenum April 2, 2010 at 11:22 pm #

    Unfortunately, you as I, receive form letters from our elected officials which I understand with thousands writing/emailing/faxing etc. But, that said. They should state their policy/positions, period. Don’t give us platitudes about how you are “Saving the planet, jobs” etc.without reading the bills. We want to know what are your true, personal thoughts/beliefs and what are you going to do?” They can baffle us with their BS only so long. I haven’t yet to see any politician since Reagan, just tell it the way it is and damn it if you take the heat for your beliefs! The Rino’s are to afraid to “offend” any group etc. Now that, unfortunately is American politics today. If it does not change shortly we will be in a deep Depression, not Recession and I have gone through over five plus in my lifetime. Time to get “real people” involved. Not the “Plastic ones” we vote for every four to six years. Use Franken as an example. Case closed.

  12. Rob N. Hood April 3, 2010 at 5:29 pm #

    “Sarah Palin has a new Fox News series
    about people with “real-life tales of
    overcoming adversity.” She should do
    a story about that guy who became the
    first black president.”
    — Jimmy Fallon

  13. paul wenum April 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm #

    Here we go again, Cut & paste.

  14. cubanshamoo April 5, 2010 at 11:12 am #

    Robby Hoody, I’am happy to make you tired, but something is true: I know more about the values or your country than you about comunism. Wanna try?

  15. Rob N. Hood April 5, 2010 at 11:33 am #

    Cubandodo, your statement is absurd on its face. It only serves to highlight your nacissism and grandiose thinking. So in other words, no I don’t “wanna try.” Although it might be fun, maybe some other time. I actually have two jobs, how many you got?

  16. paul wenum April 5, 2010 at 10:13 pm #

    Having two jobs is a challenge for which I respect you as well as others. To chastise Cubanshammo for wanting to be the best, live in the best country in the world, as of today, is a direct contradiction of what you spew. In most countries you would be jailed for stating your thoughts. Not in America. Think about what our Constitution gives you that you obviously take for granted. I don’t take it for granted, nor will Cubanshamoo.

  17. Rob N. Hood April 6, 2010 at 8:04 am #

    He can’t defend himself? You have to do it for him? His proposal especially re: “values” is an impossible one in several different ways, which I don’t have the time to go into here fully now, other than to say it is a Subjective issue and one that cannot be defined enough to be able to be debated for his supposed reason/s. It illustrates an arrogant and narrow-minded manner of thinking to even suggest such an exercise not to mention that he already believes he will ultimatelyl “win” such a “debate.” That is what I chastise him for, not what you said. That is another example of how you people always seem to sway anything towards what you want or believe it to be. It is a flaw, a defect in thinking, or simply a ruse. And that kind of “thinking” can be scary to people like me.

  18. Paul Wenum April 6, 2010 at 7:09 pm #

    Using “You People” shows me that you will never bend/think/rationalize or back-off when poven wrong. Trust me, I can see you with your arms crossed in denial when confronted. Your mind is made up and you will never change. I will take “the path less traveled.” It’s more fun. Think about it.

  19. Rob N. Hood April 7, 2010 at 7:22 am #

    You people did it again.

    • Dan McGrath April 7, 2010 at 10:34 pm #

      Not!

  20. paul wenum April 7, 2010 at 10:26 pm #

    And we will continue my friend.

A project of Minnesota Majority, hosted and maintained by Minnesotans for Global Warming.